Sunday, January 1, 2012

-- The 49ers (7-5) take a three-game losing streak into Atlantic 10 play, which begins Wednesday at Halton Arena against Richmond. And although toughness and grit don't necessarily help with a team's shooting, those characteristics did surface against the Tigers. They weren't there in recent losses against Arkansas and Miami. Charlotte, despite having 13 shots blocked and shooting 24.6 percent, stayed with the Tigers for most of the game.

The 49ers somewhat countered all those blocks with 10 steals and somewhat countered their shooting woes by making 77.3% of their free throws and nine 3s.

Coach Alan Major said the 49ers got complacent during their recent five-game winning streak. If that's the case, there's a huge lesson for a team that's still got a lot of growing up to do.

"I think we got some of that edge back tonight," said Major.

-- That said, the 49ers have now shot less than 35 percent in three consecutive games. DeMario Mayfield is eight-of-32 (25% ) in those games, and many of those have been layups or point-blank shots. Mayfield is active defensively and disrupts a lot of things, but he's not taking advantage at the offensive end. He's also making well under 50% of his free throws.

"We knew they'd be blocking shots," said Braswell. "We emphasized it in practice -- pump faking, getting guys in the air, trying to get a foul in the air. I guess guys were still trying to lean away, and got their shots blocked. We went away from that."

-- Derrio Green was effective against Memphis, scoring 12 points on four-of-nine shooting (two-of-six from 3-point range). And although Javarris Barnett had an off-night offensively (five points), he led Charlotte with nine rebounds.

-- Major said he hasn't heard from guard Luka Voncina, who has missed four games because of personal problems he's now dealing with in his home of Slovenia. Doesn't sound like he'll be back by the Richmond game.